A violent episode in the Houston Museum District left a woman dead and a deputy constable's patrol car stolen by her killer, who later engaged in a shootout with the deputy. The incident began at a gas station at MacGregor and Almeda, around 12:35 a.m. Tuesday, where the assailant and the woman reportedly argued before the man fatally shot her, as per the Houston Chronicle.

Houston Fire Department personnel witnessed the dispute, which they reported to a passing Precinct 7 deputy constable, said Houston Police Department Chief Jessica Anderson. Moments later, the perpetrator, fleeing in a black Chevy Camaro identified as belonging to his girlfriend, was stopped by the deputy constable, leading to a gunfire exchange, Click2Houston reported.

According to officials, during the shootout, the man overpowered the deputy, taking control of the patrol vehicle before returning to retrieve the Camaro, and engaging again with the constable. The woman, who was shot nine times, was pronounced dead after being rushed to the hospital, Chief Anderson added.

The deputy constable, a veteran with 14 years on the force, sustained minor injuries, which included a fall that resulted in him hitting his head in the course of the gun battle, as he was treated and evaluated at a local hospital. The Houston PD has indicated they have a lead on the gunman, who returned the patrol car and remains at large, armed and dangerous.

Investigators found the stolen vehicle abandoned on 610 near Kirkpatrick in Northeast Houston later in the morning, intensifying the manhunt. The police urge anyone with information about the incident to come forward, stressing the critical assistance the public can provide, stated Assistant Chief J. Anderson.